The match between Derby County U21 and West Ham United U21 concluded with a narrow 0-1 victory for the away side. The decisive factor came in the 41st minute of the first half when West Ham managed to break through Derby's defense to score the only goal of the match. This early goal set the tone and was a product of West Ham's clinical finishing despite having fewer corner opportunities compared to Derby County, showing their ability to capitalize effectively on limited chances.

Derby County U21's struggle to convert their attacking set-pieces into goals was evident as they had seven corner kicks compared to West Ham's four, yet failed to find the back of the net. The home team also displayed discipline in maintaining just two offsides, suggesting a well-organized attacking line; however, their inability to penetrate a robust West Ham defense was a significant drawback. Derby's composure under high defensive pressure was evident as they only received one yellow card, contrasting with West Ham's more aggressive play reflected in three yellow cards.

West Ham United U21's superior defensive resilience and ability to manage the game's tempo were crucial to their victory. Despite accumulating three yellow cards, West Ham managed to maintain pivotal control of their defensive third and minimized the impact of Derby's offensive efforts. This discipline in managing fouls without receiving a single red card allowed them to keep their formation intact and eradicate potential threats from Derby's attack. The effectiveness of their game management was underscored by only one offside, ensuring they maintained caution and strategic coherence in their forward plays.

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